IN what some are calling the “speech of the year”, Leonardo DiCaprio impressed world leaders and activists alike with his impassioned address at the largest summit on climate change ever held yesterday.

And while no-one wants to detract from the importance of his message, his man bun and beard have been the subject of almost as much buzz as the contents of his speech.

United Nations Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio with man bun, beard and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.Source:AP

But first, climate change.

DiCaprio didn’t hold back in the speech he gave to leaders from 125 countries at the United Nations Climate Change Summit — which also saw a march of an additional 400,000 people though the streets of New York City.

“I am not a scientist, but I don’t need to be. Because the world’s scientific community has spoken, and they have given us our prognosis, if we do not act together, we will surely perish. Now is our moment for action,” he said.

“As an actor I pretend for a living. I play fictitious characters often solving fictitious problems. I believe humankind has looked at climate change in that same way: as if it were a fiction, happening to someone else’s planet, as if pretending that climate change wasn’t real would somehow make it go away. But I think we know better than that.

“We need to put a pricetag on carbon emissions, and eliminate government subsidies for coal, gas, and oil companies. We need to end the free ride that industrial polluters have been given in the name of a free-market economy, they don’t deserve our tax dollars, they deserve our scrutiny. For the economy itself will die if our ecosystems collapse.”

I am already a DiCaprio fan, but IMHO he is looking better than he has for years. I’m loving the rugged handsomeness, and now I’ve seen the ponytail I finally understand why he kept up with that slicked back, long haired look for so long. He was growing his hair out! Bless.